The History of Nose Piercings

While there are numerous ways to pierce your nose, as shown in my last entry, most of those piercings are relatively new.  The standard nose piercing and septum piercing do not fall into this category however.  The standard nose piercing can be traced back over 4,000 years somewhere in the Middle East.  It is referenced in the Bible, Genesis 24:22 "Then at last, when the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists." Speaking of a servant giving a golden nose ring and bracelets as gifts to a woman for her help in watering his camels. 
The practice can also be followed throughout the history of India and Nepal.  Indian women traditionally had their left nostril pierced to help make childbirth easier as Ayurvedic medicine associates that position with the female reproductive organs.  It also acted as a homage paid to Parvathi, the goddess of marriage in the 16th century.
The septum piercing may not have been around as long as the nostril piercing, but it holds quite the global popularity.  It's popularity has been brought about by the many African  and Native American tribes.  However, New Guinea is possibly the most famous for septum piercings, especially the Kangi.  They began piercing the septum as a coming of age ritual for young men.  They would begin the ritual by blackening the face with charcoal, plucking out all the hair on the head keeping only a small tuft, then finally pierce it using a bat bone and sweet potato. 
Hopefully this gave you some insight on the background of nose piercings.  If you have any questions or anything to add feel free to do so in the comments. 

Till next time,
Miles...